NOTE: Rates shown are the normal public rates. Whilst a small number of lodges insist that we sell them at these rates, we are able to offer discounted rates for the majority of lodges – enquire with us for these discounted rates!

Our Verdict

Perched in a pristine dune forest and enjoying stunning views over the narrow channel between Inhaca island and the Santa Maria peninsular, Machangulo Beach Lodge offers a host of activities for the whole family, including world-class fishing and snorkelling!

Lodge Gallery

Our Ratings

8.1

Overall

7.5

Luxury & Style

8.5

Setting

8.5

Activities

8.0

Chill-Out Factor

Our Ratings

8.1

Overall

7.5

Luxury & Style

8.5

Setting

8.5

Activities

8.0

Chill-Out Factor

What's Hot

Great all-rounder of a lodge: intimate and secluded for people wanting a romantic break; loads of activities to keep families and adrenaline-junkies happy too!

World-class fishing on offer here - both deep sea and from the shore (including fly-fishing)

The Villas with their private pools and decks are a superb choice for families or groups of friends!

Excellent and easy snorkelling on offer in the Marine Reserve across the channel

Enjoying the view from the deck over the channel and Inhaca island as you nurse a bitterly cold Dois M!

What's Not

Quite a steep climb with lots of steps up from the beach to the main lodge public area, so the mobility challenged and elderly may be better off elsewhere

Rooms are simple, elegant and spacious but don't expect the luxury on offer at more premium priced lodges

whilst Machangulo is the perfect place to come and chill, the wide variety of activities available at the lodge will no doubt have you emerging from the comfort of your room sooner rather than later!

Lodge Profile

Perched in a pristine dune forest and enjoying stunning views over the narrow channel between Inhaca island and the Santa Maria peninsular, Machangulo Beach Lodge offers a host of activities for the whole family, including world-class fishing and snorkelling!

Quick Overview

Paradise isn’t a long journey away. A short 1 hour flight from Jo’burg to Maputo followed by a quick transfer to Maputo’s marina and you’re picked up by a very smart speedboat ready to be swished across the vast expanse of the bay to Machangulo Beach Lodge. The crossing takes about an hour depending on water conditions and in the process you’re transported a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city to a location of pristine natural beauty.

Winding your way between the myriad sandbanks (keep an eye out for flocks of spectacular pink flamingos, especially in the winter months) you’ll find yourself dropped off on a stunning white sand beach that lines the narrow channel running between Inhaca island on one side and the imposing sand dunes of the Santa Maria peninsular of the other. The warm greeting on the beach from the lodge staff and the scattering of thatched beach umbrellas lining the sand are the most obvious signs of the lodge’s presence, as it’s tucked away wonderfully unobtrusively in the thick forest that covers the dune. Here and there you’ll spot a thatched roof poking its head out or perhaps a wooden deck, but otherwise Machangulo is a perfect example of a lodge truly blending sympathetically into its surroundings.

Along the wooden pathway past the swimming pool and up the stairs and you’ll come to the main lodge building with its expansive view deck – you’ll no doubt spend more than a few hours out here during your stay, soaking up the spectacular views over the channel towards Inhaca island and with the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean alongside (more likely than not with an ice cold Dois M beer close at hand and a plate of delicious grilled prawns in front of you!) It’s at the top of the dune that you’ll also find the lodge’s 5 Ocean View rooms (we’ll come to the villas later) each boasting their own wooden view decks and cleverly positioned in such a way that each of them enjoy great privacy.

These Ocean View rooms are perfect for couples looking for a romantic break with their huge king size beds covered with atmospheric mosquito nets (although they are roomy enough to easily take another bed for a child)Don’t expect the overt luxury of an Azura or Anantara for example, but they are very attractive with their wooden floors and reed/canvas/thatch construction, are very roomy and have those 2 essential elements to help you cope with the heat of tropical Mozambique: namely air-conditioning and a mini-bar so you’ll always have a cold, refreshing beverage nearby! A couple of the rooms are also equipped with perhaps our personal favourite feature – an outdoor shower for 2 boasting great views over the bay whilst still offering you the necessary privacy! The forest here is home to prolific birdlife and you’ll waken each morning to a gorgeous chorus of birdsong. Talking of wildlife, the forest is also home to a troop of vervet monkeys that will keep you entertained with their antics (just remember to keep your doors closed to avoid any unwelcome intruders!)

For families and groups of friends holidaying together though, it’s Machangulo’s 4 Villas that offer the perfect accommodation choice. The Villas have been built lower down and around the corner from the main lodge – literally a few metres from the beach lie the 2 Beach Villas (each with 4 en-suite rooms) whilst a little further back in the forest you’ll find the 2 Family Villas (perfect for smaller families with their 2 en-suite rooms each) A huge plus point here is that each of the villas also have their own private swimming pools and wooden decks, so you really can relax and enjoy each other’s company undisturbed.

But whilst Machangulo is the perfect place to come and chill, the wide variety of activities available at the lodge will no doubt have you emerging from the comfort of your room sooner rather than later! Perhaps the most popular activity of all is going snorkelling on the wonderfully protected coral reefs of the Inhaca Marine Reserve, reached via a quick 1 minute boat ride across the channel – amongst all the colourful coral and reef fish you might be lucky enough to spot a turtle gliding around (or even a giant kingfish lurking in the deeper waters beyond!) After enjoying your snorkel, you will then enjoy a lovely picnic on the beach of the Marine Reserve! At neap tides you can even enjoy good snorkelling right in front of the lodge.

Talking of kingfish, Machangulo is a stunning destination for keen anglers who will enjoy seriously world-class fishing, both going out deep-sea by boat as well as shore-based angling on the beaches around the lodge (including excellent fly-fishing opportunities in the channel right in front of the lodge) Even better news is that the prices of going out deep sea are a lot more reasonable than many of the other upmarket lodges in Mozambique. Jigging, drop shot, plugs or fly – whatever technique you fancy, Machangulo more than delivers!

Then there’s also the chance to visit the local villages, walk the endless stretch of wave-pounded beach on the open-sea side of the dune, head off on a sunset dhow cruise around the bay, picnic on the pristine sandbars that emerge like jewels out of the sea at low-tide, scuba dive on some of the nearby reefs (or perhaps do a PADI dive course whilst on holiday), keep a look out for the passing humpback whales during the winter months, go kayaking on the estuary or in the mangroves, or simply enjoy a pampering massage on your private deck – do as little or as much as you like at Machangulo!

Pricing

per person sharing

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Booking Notes

Please note that this website displays 2 different versions of pricing based on where you are viewing it:

SOUTH AFRICANS: the package prices you see including flights from Johannesburg, accommodation and transfers are INDICATIVE prices based on mid-season airfares and mid-season room rates - these fluctuate throughout the year as do exchange rates, so please enquire with us for an accurate price based on your specific dates of travel

INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS: the prices you see are per person per night prices for accommodation only based on the normal public prices for the property in question - note that in many instances we are able to provide better prices to our clients, so please enquire with us